Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest has made him a lightning-rod for criticism, but that doesn’t have him fearing his safety when the 49ers visit the San Diego Chargers for Thursday’s exhibition-season finale. Continue Reading →

Another Aldon Smith suspension surely was anticipated by the 49ers when they released him Aug. 7, after his latest off-field incident. That discipline — a year’s banishment, as dished out Tuesday by the NFL — also had to be expected by his ensuing employer, the Raiders.